Criado charged with murdering family

The Medford man suspected of killing his family on 10th Street on July 18 has been released from a local hospital and lodged in the Jackson County Jail on multiple murder charges.

By Sanne Specht

The Medford man suspected of killing his family on 10th Street on July 18 has been released from a local hospital and lodged in the Jackson County Jail on multiple murder charges.

Medford police said Jordan Criado, 51, was released from Rogue Valley Medical Center at about 4 p.m. and immediately taken to jail. He was lodged on 24 counts of aggravated murder and four counts each of murder, first-degree manslaughter and first-degree arson. He could be sentenced to death if convicted of aggravated murder.

The charges cover the five victims and the different legal theories related to their deaths, said Jackson County Chief Deputy District Attorney Beth Heckert.

Criado is the sole suspect in the murders of his 30-year-old wife, Tabasha Paige-Criado, and children Elijah, 7, Isaac, 6, Andrew, 5, and Aurora, 2.

The first four counts of aggravated murder relate to the murder of the Criado children, who were all under the age of 14, an aggravating factor under Oregon murder statutes. The next 20 counts relate to combinations of multiple victims, another aggravating factor, Heckert said.

"For example, the mother with one child, the mother with another child, and any other combination that covers the five victims," she said.

The four counts each of murder, first-degree manslaughter and arson, all relate to the children and the manner in which they died, Heckert added.

Criado's release from the hospital came as a surprise to many watching the case. He was initially listed in critical condition by hospital officials who said he was non-responsive and breathing with the help of a ventilator in the days after the fire at the family home at 1027 10th St. Beginning last Thursday, however, hospital officials declined to release updates on Criado's condition, citing the ongoing police investigation and privacy laws.

Medford Police Chief Tim George said Criado's medical condition changed over the past week. Police officers have been stationed at Criado's room around the clock since he was hospitalized, he said.

"He showed a marked improvement," said George, adding Criado was conscious and alert at the time he was released from the hospital by doctors.

"He's stable," George said. "He has been cleared for medical discharge. He is not on any ventilators. He's not on any type of (breathing) assistance."

Emergency crews responded to reports of a fire at the Criado home on July 18 but after clearing smoke from the house discovered all six family members lying on the floor. They were carried to the front yard where desperate measures to resuscitate Page-Criado and the four children proved futile.

Jordan Criado was unconscious, suffering from smoke inhalation and a laceration to his wrist, and along with other family members was taken to a hospital. But only he survived.

Preliminary autopsy results showed Paige-Criado died from multiple stab wounds to her neck and abdomen, while Isaac and Andrew died from stab wounds to the neck and probable carbon monoxide poisoning from the arson fire. The autopsies concluded Elijah and Aurora probably died from carbon monoxide poisoning, which will be determined through pending toxicology tests.

Criado will be arraigned on all 36 Measure 11 charges at 1:45 p.m. Friday, Heckert said. A grand jury is expected to hear the case next week, she said.